Galway

Handel’s Messiah Galway Cathedral, 7th Dec, 7.30 pm 
Handel’s Messiah was first performed to a mesmerized audience in the New Music Hall, Dublin on April 13th, 1742.

The event drew large crowds to the Dublin venue enticed by Handel’s superstar status, and to catch a glimpse of contralto Susannah Cibber who was embroiled in a scandalous divorce at the time. Capacity reached a record 700 when ladies heeded management pleas to remove their large hoop skirts (a structured undergarment - see 18th-century skirt example below), fitting more people into the packed music hall. 
Blown away by the performance, the Rev. Patrick Delany is said to have stood up and cried "Woman, for this be all thy sins forgiven thee!" 
Centuries later the music’s profound effect remains, speaking as beautifully of the trials and triumphs of life as it did in 1742. Originally an Easter offering, Handel’s Messiah is now synonymous with the festive season, its rejoice of Hallelujah a key part of Christmas recitals across the globe. 
Presented by Music for Galway, Irish Baroque Orchestra will return to the Galway Cathedral on Saturday for their annual performance of Handel’s Masterpiece, accompanied by the Sestina Choir and soloists Emma Morwood, Rachel Kelly, Anthony Gregory, and Edward Grint. Artistic direction by Peter Whelan. 
Tickets available from musicforgalway.ie 
€25/€22.50
MfG Friends: €21
Unwaged &amp;
Students (full time): €12.50&nbsp;


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Bladerunner: Final Cut, Double Bill Pálás Cinema, 8th Dec, 5 pm 
Ridley Scott’s definitive cyberpunk movie Blade Runner: The Final Cut, and Denis Villeneuve’s sequel, Blade Runner 2049, will be screened in Pálás back to back on Sunday with a 15-minute intermission. 
Blade Runner’s story begins with retired cop Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) on a mission to track down a group of human-like androids known as replicants. As he delves deeper into the mission he begins to question his own identity… 
The film’s setting is a futuristic L.A., where flying automobiles hover past corporate neon skyscrapers and air pollution greys the drizzly skies. Scott’s 1982 blend of sci-fi and film noir was initially a box office flop but gained a significant cult following due to its unique postmodern production design and later influence on the sci-fi genre. A dark melodic score by Greek electronic composer Vangelis is an apt soundscape mirroring the fog, neon and futuristic vision of Dystopian L.A. 
Villeneuve’s 2017 sequel is a continuation of Blade Runner’s story, set 30 years into the future, with Ryan Gosling taking the lead as replicant Officer K. He uncovers a long-buried secret that threatens to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. 
Blade Runner 2049 surpasses itself as a sequel by carrying the stunning cityscape visuals, dark melodic scores and dystopian dread of the original, while expanding on its existential themes to take them into the 21st century. Cinematography by award-winning Roger Deakins and score by composer Hans Zimmer do not disappoint. 
Tickets available from www.palas.ie 
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Comedy Bingo Christmas Special Róisín Dubh, 9th December, 8 pm Back to present-day Galway for some comic relief and all-round festive fun. Singer Steven Sharpe and Comedian Steve Bennett (pictured above) return to host their high-energy comedy bingo night - an evening full of madcap comedy bingo! 
Prizes include tickets to comedy &amp; gigs in The Róisín Dubh, vouchers for restaurants and businesses around town, sweets, crisps, beers and TEDDIES.

This sounds way more fun than Dystopian LA. 
Tickets €5 available from roisindubh.net &nbsp;

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